Final Track: 7 Must-Hear Songs Of The Week

It’s impossible to cover every bit of new music that comes out during the week, so every Friday, we’ll be doing an end of the week music roundup. It’s called Final Track, and we’ll count off a few songs released during the week that are worth giving a listen to. (Banner via)

Leonard Friend, real name Alex Feder, makes electro-R&B, reminiscent of the Weeknd but with a stronger, Justin Timberlake-like pop sensibility. He’s a name to watch out for, and “Every Woman” is his best work yet.

“Sixpack” by JEFF the Brotherhood

If the fact that “Sixpack” was produced by the Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach isn’t enough to get you to listen, how about the fact that it sounds like the world’s tightest garage rock band covering Weezer? And we’re talking good Weezer, too, like Pinkerton-era. None of that Hurley shit here.

Untitled by the xx

This is the first bit of new music we’ve heard from the xx since their widely hailed self-titled album came out in 2009, and yup, it sounds like an xx song: minimalistic, icy, effective use of synth, spine-tingling guitar and throbbing bass lines. The person who uploaded the video wrote, “Sorry about the swaying, just couldn’t help myself.” I don’t blame ‘em.

“Feelin’ Single” by R Kelly

Alternate song titles: “Horny Horns” and “F*cking Funk.” Either would have worked, because this track, reminiscent of Michael Jackson’s early solo material, is throwback R&B, with lightly modern touches and a message that anyone can get behind: I’ve been dumped, so I’m gonna hit the clubs and find someone to have sex with. It’s just as off the wall as anything in Kelly’s expansive discography.

“Asunder” by Fang Island

Whether you call them math-rock, prog-rock, post-rock, or whatever, one thing’s for sure about Fang Island: they know how to sound massive, and the anthemic, unsubtle “Asunder” is no exception. These guys are a blast.

“There’s Got to Be More to Life” by Joey Ramone

Taken from Joey Ramone’s “new” solo album, …Ya Know?, which he worked on over the last 15 years of his life. I know it’s not INXS, and therefore not REAL punk rock, but it’ll do in a pinch.